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The Academy of American Poets is the largest membership-based nonprofit organization fostering an appreciation for contemporary poetry and supporting American poets. For over three generations, the Academy has connected millions of people to great poetry through programs such as National Poetry Month, the largest literary celebration in the world; Poets.org, the Academy’s popular website; American Poets, a biannual literary journal; and an annual series of poetry readings and special events. Since its founding, the Academy has awarded more money to poets than any other organization.

Beauty Secrets, Revealed by the Queen in Snow White

Do for your neck what you do for your face.
Face your neck whatever the case. Pace yourself
for 35-55, a quick
and bumpy ride, gone in a sneeze. Avoid
petroleum; replace with olive oil.
Check bitterness at the door; be happy!
Do for yourself what you do for others,
the money guru says to sisters. Embrace
a stash and a place, Virginia wrote, 80
years ago. Don't be dopey or sleepy,
and don't buy all that's offered. Wake up!
Do for your future what you should have done
for your past. Don't be bashful: it's one thing
to have a neck, another to stick it out.
Go ahead and eat fruit fallen to the ground;
be wary of apples in other hands.
Know the party's over when the hostess
yawns, her jaw like folds of lace. Brace yourself
for 55-85, a long
and grumpy slide. Help, Doc! Imagine lots
of green and see it when your eyes
are closed. Don't see red, as in done for,
as in broke, as in give up the chase.
Do for your head what you do for your face.
Avoid asking questions of mirrors.
To check your own sad countenance each day
is a disgrace. If you hang on, cash can help.
Despite it, the Iron Lady's now just a trace
of the woman who said, There's no such thing
as society! It's our duty to look after ourselves.
A head of state. Debased.

related poems

do you have
scars / if not the hurt is mostly imagined.
slash of blood against snow and who would wish for a child
"red as blood"—pretty words,
but the daughter suffers.
When I was young I loved ____, now
I love ____, and in between

He went there to learn how
to give a good perm
and ended up just crazy
about nails
so He opened up His own shop.
"Nails by Jim" He called it.
He was afraid to call it
Nails by God.
He was sure people would
think He was being
disrespectful and using
His own name in vain
and nobody would tip.

No matter what life you lead
the virgin is a lovely number:
cheeks as fragile as cigarette paper,
arms and legs made of Limoges,
lips like Vin Du Rhône,
rolling her china-blue doll eyes
open and shut.
Open to say,
Good Day Mama,
and shut for the thrust
of the unicorn.
She is unsoiled.
She is